Diabetes Australia has called on the federal Government to more than double its spending on preventative health, lifting it to 5% of total health expenditure by 2030.
The bold ask is contained in a policy paper, released to coincide with National Diabetes Week (13–19 July 2025).1
In a second major initiatives to mark National Diabetes Week, Diabetes Australia has highlighted the importance of preventing complications from diabetes, with a report showing more than 560,000 Australians are reducing their risk of diabetes-related blindness through the KeepSight eye check reminder programme.2
Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said both documents highlight the urgent need for national leadership and coordinated action to reduce the impact of diabetes on the health system and the lives of millions of Australians.
The diabetes prevalence rate in Australia is increasing rapidly. Since 2000, the number of Australians diagnosed with all types of diabetes has risen by 220% from 460,000 to almost 1.5 million. If current trends continue, that number could reach 3.6 million by 2050. Diabetes costs the Australian health system an estimated AU$9.1 billion annually.
“Prevention is the most cost-effective and sustainable strategy to address the type 2 diabetes epidemic,” Ms Cain said.
“Preventing type 2 diabetes is not only possible; it is essential. Around 58% of cases can be prevented or delayed. Early detection of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can also help to prevent serious complications.”
Many of the most serious complications, such as… vision loss, can be prevented with timely, coordinated care and support
A Healthier Future
The Diabetes Australia policy paper A Healthier Future: Reducing the Impact of Diabetes Through Prevention, outlines four national goals.
Preventing Complications
“Many of the most serious complications, such as amputations, kidney failure and vision loss, can be prevented with timely, coordinated care and support,” Ms Cain said.
“Lifting investment in preventive health to 5% of national healthcare spending will save lives, reduce complications from chronic conditions like diabetes and help keep our health system financially sustainable.”
Reducing Disparities and Overcoming Barriers to Care
The report notes that type 2 diabetes disproportionately affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people in low socioeconomic areas, rural and remote communities, older Australians, people with disabilities, and culturally diverse populations. “These disparities are deepening the crisis and require targeted, sustained action,” Diabetes Australia said.
Prevention and Early Detection
“Early detection offers a critical opportunity to prevent complications and, in some cases, achieve remission,” the report noted. It said key actions would include:
- Implementing public health and environmental interventions, such as food subsidies, urban design improvements, fiscal policies like a sugar-sweetened beverage levy, and stricter regulation of unhealthy food and beverages in food retail outlets,
- Scaling community-based education, lifestyle and support programmes, including virtual delivery, and
- Expanding systematic screening in primary care, pharmacies, hospitals, and community settings.
Strengthening Support for Self-Management
“Empowering people to effectively self-manage all types of diabetes is essential for improving health outcomes and reducing complications. It can even help prevent type 2 diabetes and obesity in the next generation,” the report noted.
This goal would require a skilled workforce, access to technology, and supportive funding models, Diabetes Australia said.
KeepSight provides a simple, effective nudge that helps people take action. It’s a great example of how digital health interventions can improve outcomes and change behaviour.
The Value of KeepSight
The second initiative released by Diabetes Australia, the report Unveiling the Value of KeepSight: Enhancing Diabetes-Related Vision Care and Preventing Vision Loss, highlights the success of the programme and the importance of regular screening in detecting diabetes-related retinopathy and vision issues before symptoms appear.
The KeepSight national reminder programme encourages people with diabetes to return to their primary eye care profession for regular eye checks.
Diabetes Australia said since its launch in 2019, KeepSight has helped more than half a million Australians reduce their risk of diabetes-related blindness by over 90%.
“Over 8,000 people join the programme each month, and more than 60% of those who receive reminders return for ongoing checks within the recommended timeframes.
“Diabetes is relentless. People manage multiple health concerns every day, and eye checks can slip down the priority list,” Ms Cain said.
“KeepSight provides a simple, effective nudge that helps people take action. It’s a great example of how digital health interventions can improve outcomes and change behaviour.”
Most participants are referred to KeepSight by their optometrist, with more than 80% of the major and independent optometry providers integrated in the programme.
It is publicly/privately funded by the Australian Government and founding partner Specsavers, with support from the eye sector including Vision 2020 Australia, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO), and Optometry Australia.
Vision 2020 Australia CEO Carly Iles said the programne breaks down common barriers to care.
“Cost, access, or even fear of a diagnosis can prevent people from getting checked. KeepSight helps reduce those barriers by offering reminders and reassurance from a trusted source,” Ms Iles said.
Ms Cain said both the policy paper and KeepSight report demonstrate the importance of preventing diabetes complications.
“This is a turning point. We must act now to prevent more people from developing type 2 diabetes and ensure better care and outcomes for those already living with the condition.”
References
- Diabetes Australia, A Healthier Future: Reducing the Impact of Diabetes Through Prevention. July 2025. Available at: diabetesaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Reducing-the-Impact-of-Diabetes-through-Prevention.pdf [accessed July 2025].
- Diabetes Australia and Deloitte Access Economic, Unveiling the Value of KeepSight: Enhancing Diabetes-Related Vision Care and Preventing Vision Loss. 2025. Available at: diabetesaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Unveiling-the-value-of-KeepSight_report.pdf [accessed July 2025].
